Athena Cooper's POV

I wasn't able to speak to my father for quite some time after the blow out at dinner that one day. I was still mad at him that he wanted to call off my relationship with Tobias Kripke. I couldn't do that. I love him.

I know it may be premature to declare my love for him now, but that's truly how I feel for him.

I texted Tobias on that same day about my father knowing us and that he wasn't happy. Tobias understood and apologized that he told his parents anything at all. He didn't know much about the rivalry between our fathers like I do. Despite my father's wish, we still continue to date.

I found out from Isaac that his team won the Physics Bowl. That was one thing that made me happy.

We were talking in the hallway together at his locker and Tobias was with us, too. He's holding my hand and I still can't get over that I have a boyfriend. Then a tall girl with blonde hair and pale white skin approached to us and she handed some papers to my brother.

"Thank you for the notes, Isaac," The girl smiled brightly at him. Now that I see her closely, she's Aubrey. "They were very detailed and organized. I like how you color coordinated them with different gel pens and used high lighters. I might do that for my own."

"Thank you, Aubrey, and I'm glad that you find them useful." Isaac said.

"Are you feeling better?" I asked her.

She was out of school for a couple of weeks because she was sick.

"Yes. It seemed to be a bit of a flue I got, but I'm better now," Aubrey answered quickly not being interested in me or Tobias at all. Her focus then shifts to completely on Isaac. "Hey, do you want to go to a conference with me and my family? It'll on theoretical, materials, and condensed matter physics. It's this weekend on a Saturday."

"Oh, I think I'll go." Isaac answered being delighted.

She beamed at his response. "That's so great! I'll inform my parents. My mother will be especially pleased that you're going to go."

Isaac gave me a triumphant and gloating look. "See? I told you that my presence can spread happiness and joy."

I rolled my eyes and Tobias just smirked. I'm sure he finds this whole encounter amusing.

"Anyway, do you want to go to the movie theaters with me on Friday, too? We can see anything you want to see."

"Really?" He was surprised that he has a choice. "Sure. I have nothing on my calendar. You're just full of fun stuff, aren't you?"

She blushed. "I am. I'll see you later, Isaac. Bye."

"Bye." Isaac said friendly watching her go.

"Wow. Two dates in a row. Nice!" Tobias praise and I want to roll my eyes again.

"Dates? They are not dates. Aubrey and I are simply hanging out together as friends."

"Call it whatever you want, but you're still going out with her." He grinned.

"I don't know about this, Isaac," I said warily. "Don't you know who her mother is?"

"No." He replied cluelessly and that made me want to facepalm myself.

"It's Ramona. Remember Mother's stories about her? That she was trying to get to Father before?"

"Yes, but what does that have anything to do with me? If she likes me, then I can tell her I'm not interested." Isaac said as if that was an easy solution.

"Yeah, then you'll look like a jerk." Tobias pointed out.

He frowned. "I don't mean to hurt her..."

"I know, but...be careful what you're getting into." I warned.

He never had a girlfriend before. This whole world of dating would be entirely new to him. He wouldn't understand much.

"I will, Athena. You don't need to worry about me." Isaac assured.

Later on at lunch in the cafeteria, Tobias and I want to make a date for ourselves, too. But with my father in the way, that will be hard. I also can't help noticing that Aubrey was sitting with Isaac and they're talking and laughing. I've never seen him acting so...human before except with his other best friend, Patrick.

"Why don't I just talk to your Dad?" Tobias suggested. "He'll see that I'm not a bad guy."

"I don't know..." I said unsurely.

"You don't know if it'll be bad. I don't care if he hates my Dad as long as he doesn't hate me. I do love trains."

That made me smile because of my father's love for them.

"You might have him there."

"See? We're off to great start."

I sighed. "I suppose I can't see any harm. You two can discuss after school."

"That sounds terrific."

"What sounds terrific?" It was Madison Hofstadter who came to our table and sat with us.

Oh my goodness (my grandmother forbade me to use the Lord's name in vain in that way), Madison Hofstadter is sitting with me!

"I'm going to talk to Mr. Cooper after school to have his blessing to date his daughter." Tobias answered.

"First off, as a warning ahead of time, you should call him, Dr. Cooper," Maddie said. "I made that mistake once."

"She's right," I agreed. Of course I do. She's always so right and perfect. "I told you that before."

"Second, does Isaac have a girlfriend or something?" Maddie looked back at the table where my brother and Aubrey were sitting.

"No," I answered. "They're just friends."

"Oh...hm..." She mumbled thoughtfully.

"What?" I was confused at her reaction then she snapped out of it and turn back to us.

"Nothing. So, you two are going to let the cat out of the bag that you're officially dating to your Dad?" She returns to the previous subject.

"Yes. We hope that he'll take it well."

"I'm sure he will," Maddie waved it off. "It took my Dad some time to accept me dating guys. As long as they don't hurt or abuse me, he's okay with it. Oh, and that we'll use protection, but I never went that far. I've only fooled around. Have you two...?" She drifted off the question suggestively and I know what she's asking.

"Good lord, no!" I exclaimed being embarrassed and I feel my face getting red. So was Tobias' and he uncomfortably looks away being shy.

"Awww, you two are so cute when you act like that," She squealed. "If you'll just tell your Dad that neither of you are sexually active, he'll be fine."

I nodded. "Okay."

Maddie talked to us some more and gave us tips for not just about my father, but also about dating.

At home, it was kind of lonely to not have Samantha live with us anymore. She went back to Texas with her father unwillingly. She was like a sister to me and we still keep each other in touch on Video Chat.

When I was done doing my homework, I went to read a science book. A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking. While I was reading it, my mother came into my room.

"Hello, Mother." I greeted her as I close my book.

"I'm fine. How does having dinner from the pizza place sound?"

"Good. How are you feeling?"

"Fine. I believe I know what's wrong with me."

"What is it?"

She smiled a little and walks further into my bedroom.

"Um...I'm pregnant."

To say that I'm surprised is an underestatement.

"You're pregnant?!" I flipped out.

"Yes, Athena."

"What do you and Father do when Isaac and I aren't home?" I had to wonder, but I don't want to know.

"Athena, can you please be mature about this?" She sighed. "This is not something your father and I have planned. These things just happen."

"I am happy for the both of you," I got up to hug her. "That's why you've been sick and tired all the time."

"You're father would added in moody, too," She chuckled. "He's been saying that I'm on my monthly cycle."

"He gets that way with me, too. Have you told him?"

"No. Not yet."

I'm relieved. "Can your announcement wait? Tobias is coming over here soon and he'll want to talk with him. To have his blessing to date me. I think having two big news being thrown at Father will be too much for him."

"You're right," Mother said, nodding. "Tobias can talk to him first. I still need to get over the fact that I'm pregnant. Again. For the third time."

"Are you happy?"

"Of course I am. I just always wanted one or two children. However, your father on the other hand, wanted fifteen."

My eyes widened. "He wanted fifteen children?!"

"Yes. I had to convince him it would be chaos in the house to raise fifteen children. Then he gave me examples like it can be possible. The Weasley family from Harry Potter had seven kids. The Brady Bunch family and the family from the movie, Cheaper By the Dozen."

"Those are just fictional examples."

"I know. I told him that. Then he said about the old TV show of the Duggar family from Nineteen Kids and Counting. He said it can happen, but I know I couldn't do it and I don't think he really knows what's in store for him if we did decide on fifteen children."

"Yes, I don't think I can handle having a lot of kids myself. Maybe just one or two," I said. My mind went into a fantasy about being married and having children with Tobias. Athena Kripke. Hm. Sounds nice. "Are you wishing for a boy or for a girl?"

"I don't know yet. We'll have to see what your father thinks about it first."

I agreed then I heard the doorbell ringing. I figure it must be Tobias. Mother and I went downstairs to get it, but my father already did that and saw Tobias Kripke at his doorstep.

"What in the world are you doing here?" I heard my father's voice asking my boyfriend.

I was mortified at the fact my father saw Tobias first before I can warn either of them.

"I want to talk to you, Dr. Cooper," My boyfriend said being very mature and an adult. He wasn't afraid of him in the slightest. "According to Athena, you already know that her and I are dating."

"Yes, I know and I can't say that I approve of that." My father said with his arms crossed.

That's when my mother and I came down the stairs in the living room to approach them. I went to Tobias' side and my mother went to her husband's side.

"We hope that you two can talk about it, and hopefully, give your blessing." I told my father.

"To give him my blessing?" Father asked, looking up and down at my boyfriend as if what I said was ridiculous to him.

"Yes...sir." Tobias added for good measure.

"Sheldon, why don't we let him inside?" Mother suggested and urge Tobias to come inside and she closes the door.

"You know you're letting the son of my enemyenter into my home? Barry Kripke is the Joker to my Batman. The Red Skull to my Captain America. The-"

"I get it, Sheldon." Mother interrupted him and I know she was getting annoyed with his references.

We all know in this family how he truly feels about Barry Kripke.

"Fine," He said as if he was like a young child who got scolded by his mother. Then he looked seriously at Tobias. "If you want to have a talk with me then it's best we do it privately."

My father gave my mother and I a look to leave them alone. We exchanged glances at each other and decided that would be the right thing. I do wish that I can overhear them somehow.

"We'll go, Sheldon," Mother said and wanted me to come along with her to the kitchen. "Come on, Athena."

I followed her and was worried for Tobias, but I know my father can't be that bad or scary.

Right?